Guns and Background Checks

AWR over on Big Government has been covering Mr. Gabrielle Giffords recent purchase of an AR-15. Mr. Giffords has been campaigning for more gun control laws via his new organization. He has recently testified in Colorado and appeared at the scene of his wife’s shooting to rally for more gun control laws. When it was discovered that Mr. Giffords had purchased this “assault” weapon, his explanation on Facebook was:

I just had a background check a few days ago when I went to my local gun
store to buy a .45. As I was leaving, I noticed a used AR-15. Bought
that too. Even to buy an assault weapon, the background check only takes
a matter of minutes. I don’t have possession of it yet but I’ll be
turning it over to the Tucson PD when I do.

Let’s clear a few things up. A background check to buy a cheap hand gun is the same background check to buy an AR-15. Mr. Giffords said on Wolf Blitzer (who was predictably tossing softballs) yesterday that it was “important” for him to find out how easy it was to purchase a weapon like that. Well, if the weapon is legal in your state, it’s just as easy as purchasing a handgun. And since Mr. Giffords has already admitted to owning guns “all his life” he should know that. He could also call up a gun dealer and get the answer to that question without purchasing the actual gun.

AR-15s are not cheap, they will run you at least $1500 bucks and depending on the manufacturer, you are looking north of $2k.